Hamilton was within one second of Verstappen when he was called in for a second pit stop – Mercedes hoping that a switch to fresh tyres would provide the British star with a chance to usurp Verstappen.

The strategy move by Formula One’s all-conquering team proved inspired.

"I feel really grateful for the day and for the team for continuing to believe in me and for continuing to push the limits and to take a risk, a chance on me – we've been together seven years and it always feels like a new win"#F1 🇭🇺#HungarianGPpic.twitter.com/ATUCfrLByX

Hamilton will now head into the summer break with a mammoth 61-point championship lead over Valtteri Bottas.

The Finnish driver ended the race in eighth place after he had to stop for a new front wing following a collision with Leclerc on the opening lap.

“Wow, just wow, mate,” said Hamilton’s engineer, Pete Bonnington.

“What a drive. What a strategy.”

Hamilton replied: “That was a tall order but I am grateful you did it. That feels so good. I hope you are feeling it too.”

Verstappen has not been hot off the line in recent races, but the pole-sitter retained the lead with a near-perfect start on the long charge down to the opening corner.

Verstappen, left, and Bottas challenge for the lead at the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix (Laszlo Balogh/AP)

Verstappen moved to cover off both Mercedes cars, but a sloppy start from Bottas – the Finn locking up twice in three corners – allowed Hamilton to blast around his team-mate on the outside of the left-handed third bend before making the move stick into turn four.

Verstappen and Hamilton raced off into the distance and when the former stopped for new rubber on lap 24, he was less than a second ahead of his rival.

Mercedes kept Hamilton out, and when he eventually stopped six laps later, he emerged six seconds down.

But Hamilton put his foot down and wiped out Verstappen’s lead in a handful of laps. On lap 39, Hamilton sensed his opportunity, and in a gung-ho move for victory fell off the track at the fourth bend.

LAP 39/70

It's wheel-to-wheel for the lead and we haven't breathed for at least two laps 😲